Composition containing hydrofluoroolefin compound

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a composition comprising an HFO compound, the composition having excellent stability with decomposition and oxidation of the HFO compound being inhibited, the composition having improved refrigerating capacity when used as a heat transfer medium, compared with the case in which an HFO compound is used alone. More specifically, the present invention provides a composition comprising at least one HFO compound selected from the group consisting of HFO-1234yf, (E-/Z-)HFO-1234ze, and (E-/Z-)HFO-1225ye; and a chlorine-containing compound, wherein (1) the chlorine-containing compound is at least one member selected from the group consisting of CH 2 ═CHCl, CHF═CHCl, CH 2 ═CFCl, CF 3 Cl, CH 3 Cl, CF 3 CH 2 Cl, CClF═CHCl, and CHF═CCl 2 , and (2) the chlorine-containing compound is contained in an amount ranging from 1 to 500000 mass ppm.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a composition comprising ahydrofluoroolefin (HFO) compound useful for applications, such as heattransfer media, foaming agents, solvents, cleaning agents, propellants,and fire extinguishers.

BACKGROUND ART

Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) represented by the formula:CF₃(CX₂)_(n)CF═CH₂, the formula: CF₃(CX₂)_(n)CH═CHF, and the like areuseful compounds as, for example, various functional materials,solvents, refrigerants, foaming agents, monomers for functional polymersor starting materials of such monomers. For example, HFOs are used asmonomers for modifying ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers.

Of the above HFO compounds, CF₃CF═CH₂ (HFO-1234yf), CF₃CH═CHF (E-/Z-)(HF)-1234ze), and CF₃CF═CHF (E-/Z-) (HFO-1225ye) have recently gainedattention as they offer promising prospects as refrigerants with lowglobal warming potential (GWP).

As an example of methods for producing the HFO compounds represented bythe formulas above, a method has been reported in which achlorine-containing alkane or chlorine-containing alkene startingmaterial having the same number of carbon atoms as that of a targetfluoroolefin is reacted with a fluorinating agent, such as an anhydroushydrogen fluoride, in the presence of a catalyst (see, for example,Patent Literature (PTL) 1).

However, HFO compounds, which contain a double bond, have low stability,compared with hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons(HFCs), and the like, which have been used as heat transfer media(refrigerants). Therefore, for example, an HFO compound when used as aheat transfer medium for an air-conditioning system may react withentrained air or oxygen, may react inside the air-conditioning systemwith a part or parts that are in contact with the heat transfer medium,or may result in decomposition of the HFO compound itself, depending onthe operating conditions. In these cases, the performance of theair-conditioning system problematically decreases; thus, an improvementin the stability of the HFO compound is necessary.

Although the performance of air-conditioning systems has been improvedin accordance with an improvement of the systems, there is a limit toimproving the performance with the improvement of the systems, and anattempt has been made to improve, for example, the refrigeratingcapacity by adding an additive to an HFO compound used as a heattransfer medium.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature PTL 1: US2011/0160497 SUMMARY OFINVENTION Technical Problem

An object of the present invention is to provide a compositioncomprising an HFO compound, the composition having excellent stabilitywith decomposition and oxidation of the HFO compound being inhibited,the composition having improved refrigerating capacity when used as aheat transfer medium, compared with the case in which an HFO compound isused alone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide use of thecomposition having excellent stability in a heat transfer medium, afoaming agent, a solvent, a cleaning agent, a propellant, a fireextinguisher, or the like.

Solution to Problem

The present inventors conducted extensive research to achieve the aboveobjects, and found that a composition comprising a specific HFO compoundand a specific chlorine-containing compound can achieve the aboveobjects. The present invention has thus been accomplished.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a compositioncomprising the following HFO compound.

1. A composition comprising: at least one HFO compound selected from thegroup consisting of HFO-1234yf, (E-/Z-)HFO-1234ze, and(E-/Z-)HFO-1225ye; and

a chlorine-containing compound,wherein(1) the chlorine-containing compound is at least one member selectedfrom the group consisting of CH₂═CHCl, CHF═CHCl, CH₂═CFCl, CF₃Cl, CH₃Cl,CF₃CH₂Cl, CClF═CHCl, and CHF═CCl₂, and(2) the chlorine-containing compound is contained in an amount rangingfrom 1 to 500000 mass ppm.

2. The composition according to Item 1, wherein the chlorine-containingcompound is at least one member selected from CH₂═CHCl, CHF═CHCl, andCH₂═CFCl, and the chlorine-containing compound is contained in an amountof more than 6 mass ppm and 500000 mass ppm or less.

3. The composition according to Item 1, wherein the chlorine-containingcompound is at least one member selected from CH₂═CHCl, CHF═CHCl, andCH₂═CFCl, and the chlorine-containing compound is contained in an amountof 10000 to 400000 mass ppm.

4. The composition according to Item 1, wherein the chlorine-containingcompound is at least one member selected from CH₂═CHCl, CHF═CHCl, andCH₂═CFCl, and the chlorine-containing compound is contained in an amountof 100000 to 300000 mass ppm.

5. The composition according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein amixture of the HFO compound and the chlorine-containing compound is anazeotrope or azeotrope-like mixture.

6. The composition according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein amixture of the HFO compound and at least one chlorine- containingcompound selected from CH₂═CHCl, CHF═CHCl, and CH₂═CFCl is an azeotropeor azeotrope-like mixture.

7. The composition according to Item 1, wherein the chlorine-containingcompound is at least one member selected from the group consisting ofCF₃Cl, CH₃Cl, CF₃CH₂Cl, CClF═CHCl, and CHF═CCl₂, and thechlorine-containing compound is contained in an amount of 1 to 10000mass ppm.

8. The composition according to any one of Items 1 to 7, furthercomprising at least one HFC compound selected from the group consistingof HFC-32, HFC-134a, HFC-125, HFC-143a, and HFC-23.

9. The composition according to any one of Items 1 to 8, furthercomprising at least one lubricant selected from the group consisting ofpolyalkylene glycols, esters, polyvinyl ethers, and alkylbenzenes.

10. The composition according to any one of Items 1 to 9, furthercomprising water, the water being contained in an amount of 1000 massppm or less.

11. The composition according to any one of Items 1 to 10, which is atleast one member selected from the group consisting of heat transfermedia, foaming agents, and propellants.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The composition of the present invention, which comprises an HFOcompound, comprises a specific HFO compound and a specificchlorine-containing compound, and the amount of the chlorine-containingcompound is defined as ranging from 1 to 500000 mass ppm. Accordingly,the composition has excellent stability with decomposition and oxidationof the HFO compound being inhibited, and additionally, the refrigeratingcapacity when used as a heat transfer medium is improved, compared withthe case in which an HFO compound is used alone. Therefore, thecomposition of the present invention is suitably used for applications,including heat transfer media, foaming agents, solvents, cleaningagents, propellants, fire extinguishers, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the results of simulation evaluation performedwith respect to the refrigerating capacity of a composition comprising amixture of HFO-1234yf and CH₂═CHCl (vinyl chloride) in a car airconditioner (Example 1). In FIG. 1, R1140 refers to vinyl chloride.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the measurement results of the vapor-liquidequilibrium of a composition comprising a mixture of HFO-1234yf andCH₂═CHCl (vinyl chloride) (Example 2). In FIG. 2, R1140 refers to vinylchloride.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The composition of the present invention, which comprises an HFOcompound, is a composition comprising at least one HFO compound selectedfrom the group consisting of HFO-1234yf, (E-/Z-)HFO-1234ze, and(E-/Z-)HFO-1225ye; and a chlorine-containing compound, wherein

(1) the chlorine-containing compound is at least one member selectedfrom the group consisting of CH₂═CHCl, CHF═CHCl, CH₂═CFCl, CF₃Cl, CH₃Cl,CF₃CH₂Cl, CClF═CHCl, and CHF═CCl₂; and(2) the chlorine-containing compound is contained in an amount rangingfrom 1 to 500000 mass ppm.In this specification, the composition of the present invention, whichcomprises an HFO compound, also encompasses a mode of a composition thatconsists only of an HFO compound and a chlorine-containing compound.Further, in the present specification, the amount of thechlorine-containing compound refers to the amount in the entirecomposition.

The numerical range as used in this specification includes its lowerlimit and upper limit unless the term “less than” or “more than” isused. For example, the expression “1 to 500000 mass ppm” refers to 1mass ppm or more and 500000 mass ppm or less.

The composition of the present invention, which has the above feature,comprises a specific HFO compound and a specific chlorine-containingcompound, and the amount of the chlorine-containing compound is definedas ranging from 1 to 500000 mass ppm. Accordingly, the composition hasexcellent stability with decomposition and oxidation of the HFO compoundbeing inhibited, and additionally, the refrigerating capacity when usedas a heat transfer medium is improved, compared with the case in whichan HFO compound is used alone. Therefore, the composition of the presentinvention is suitably used for applications, including heat transfermedia, foaming agents, solvents, cleaning agents, propellants, fireextinguishers, and the like.

The composition of the present invention uses at least one HFO compoundselected from the group consisting of HFO-1234yf, (E-/Z-)HFO-1234ze, and(E-/Z-)HFO-1225ye. Here, the “(E-/Z-)” indicates that one or bothgeometrical isomers, i.e., E- and Z-isomers, are included. Further, theterm “HFO” refers to hydrofluoroolefin, and is distinguished from HFC(hydrofluorocarbon) or HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon).

The above HFO compounds may be obtained by known production methods.Examples of the production methods include a method comprisingsubjecting fluoroalkane to a dehydrofluorination reaction in thepresence of a catalyst (e.g., the method disclosed in JP2012-500182A).

More specifically, if the HFO compound is 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene(HFO-1234yf), then 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane or1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane used as a starting material is subjected toa dehydrofluorination reaction in the presence of a catalyst to thusyield HFO-1234yf. If the HFO compound is 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene((E-/Z-)HFO-1234ze), then 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane used as astarting material is subjected to a dehydrofluorination reaction in thepresence of a catalyst to thus yield (E-/Z-)HFO-1234ze. Further, if theHFO compound is 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene ((E-/Z-)HFO-1225ye), then1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane or 1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluoropropane used as astarting material is subjected to hydrogenation, fluorination, anddehydrofluorination sequentially or simultaneously depending on theconditions, in the presence of a catalyst to thus yield(E-/Z-)HFO-1225ye.

In the above production methods, a chromium catalyst, such as chromiumoxide or fluorinated chromium oxide, or other metal catalysts may beused as a catalyst. The reaction may be performed usually at atemperature within a range of 200 to 500° C. Additionally, theproduction of the HFO compound may be performed in accordance with knownmethods.

The composition of the present invention comprises at least onechlorine-containing compound selected from the group consisting ofCH₂═CHCl (vinyl chloride=R1140), CHF═CHCl (HCFC-1131), CH₂═CFCl(HCFC-1131a), CF₃Cl (CFC-13), CH₃Cl (methyl chloride), CF₃CH₂Cl(HCFC-133a), CClF═CHCl (HCFC-1121), and CHF═CCl₂ (HCFC-1121a) in anamount ranging from 1 to 500000 mass ppm. Of these, as a preferablemode, the composition of the present invention comprises at least onechlorine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of CF₃Cl(CFC-13), CH₃Cl (methyl chloride), CF₃CH₂Cl (HCFC-133a), CClF═CHCl(HCFC-1121), and CHF═CCl₂ (HCFC-1121a) in an amount ranging from 1 to500000 mass ppm.

Incorporation of the above chlorine-containing compound allows thedouble bond in the molecule of the HFO compound to be present stablywithin the composition, thus inhibiting decomposition and oxidation ofthe HFO compound. This effect is presumably based on the fact thatchlorine-containing compounds, which have higher reactivity than HFOcompounds, react preferentially with air or oxygen, inhibitingdecomposition and oxidation of the HFO compounds.

Incorporation of the above chlorine-containing compound also improvesthe refrigerating capacity when used as a heat transfer medium, comparedwith the case in which an HFO compound is used alone.

The above chlorine-containing compounds may together form oligomers,such as dimers to decamers. Further, the chlorine-containing compoundmay form such oligomers with a portion of the HFO compound. In thesecases, if used as a heat transfer medium, the composition can alsoimprove the slidability within a refrigerator, leading to an improvementof the performance of the refrigerator.

As in CH₂═CHCl (vinyl chloride), some of the above chlorine-containingcompounds have a characteristic odor (e.g., CH₂═CHCl has a chloroformodor). Thus, if a chlorine-containing compound with an odor is used, itis also possible to achieve the function of a tracer for detecting theleakage of the composition.

The chlorine-containing compound may be externally added to the HFOcompound. The chlorine-containing compound may also be a compound thatis obtained as a by-product in the course of the production process ofthe HFO compound. If the latter is the case, the amount of thechlorine-containing compound is adjusted to be within a range of 1 to500000 mass ppm by adjusting the amount of the by-product.

The amount of the chlorine-containing compound in the composition iswithin a range of 1 to 500000 mass ppm, preferably about 10000 to 400000mass ppm, and more preferably about 100000 to 300000 mass ppm.

If the chlorine-containing compound is at least one member selected fromCH₂═CHCl, CHF═CHCl and CH₂═CFCl, the amount of the chlorine-containingcompound is preferably more than 6 mass ppm and 500000 mass ppm or less,more preferably about 10000 to 400000 mass ppm, and most preferablyabout 100000 to 300000 mass ppm.

If the chlorine-containing compound is at least one member selected fromthe group consisting of CF₃Cl, CH₃Cl, CF₃CH₂Cl, CClF═CHCl, and CHF═CCl₂,the amount of the chlorine-containing compound is preferably about 1 to10000 mass ppm.

Of these chlorine-containing compounds, it is preferable to select achlorine-containing compound that foils an azeotrope or azeotrope-likemixture with the HFO compound. For example, at least one member ofCH₂═CHCl, CHF═CHCl, and CH₂═CFCl is suitably used. The use of acombination that forms an azeotrope or azeotrope-like mixture lowers theboiling point, compared with the use of a combination that forms anon-azeotropic mixture, leading to an improvement in the refrigeratingcapacity when used as a heat transfer medium.

In addition to the HFO compound and chlorine-containing compound, thecomposition of the present invention may comprise an HFC compound, anHCFC compound, CO₂, and the like, which are known as existing heattransfer media. Examples include HFC-32, HFC-134a, HFC-125, HFC-143a,HFC-23, and the like. These additives may be used together so as toadjust the refrigerating capacity, GWP, flammability, and the like ofthe composition of the present invention, to an extent that the effectsof the present invention are not hindered. The amount of these additivesis preferably, but is not limited to, 40 mass % or less, per 100 mass %of the total amount of the HFO compound and these additives.

For use as a heat transfer medium, the composition of the presentinvention may further comprise at least one lubricant selected from thegroup consisting of polyalkylene glycols, esters, polyvinyl ethers, andalkylbenzenes. The lubricant can be incorporated in an amount of 10 to50 mass % into the composition. However, the amount is not limited tothis range, and can vary depending on the specification of the oil tankof a refrigerator. If the amount is within this range, it is unlikelythat the stability of the HFO compound will be impaired.

The composition of the present invention may further comprise water. Theamount of water is preferably 1000 mass ppm or less, and more preferably200 mass ppm or less. When water is contained in an amount within arange of 1000 mass ppm or less, the stability of the HFO compoundfurther improves, compared with the case where water is not contained.

The type of water is not particularly limited, and purified water, suchas distilled water, ion exchange water, filtered water, tap water, andultrapure water obtained by a commercially available device forgenerating pure water, etc., can be used. Water may possibly be mixed inthe process of producing the HFO compound, and the water mixed at thistime may be used as water to be incorporated into the composition. As amatter of course, it is possible to once remove the water generated inthe production process, and use separately prepared water as water to beincorporated into the composition. The pH of the water is notparticularly limited, and is usually within a range of 6 to 8.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is described in more detail below with referenceto Examples. However, the present invention is not limited to theembodiments in the Examples.

Example 1

A simulation evaluation was performed with respect to the refrigeratingcapacity of a composition comprising a mixture of HFO-1234yf andCH₂═CHCl (vinyl chloride=R1140) in a car air conditioner. FIG. 1 showsthe results.

FIG. 1 reveals that the coefficient of performance (COP) improves withthe addition of vinyl chloride even when it is a small amount added,compared with when HFO-1234yf is used alone. FIG. 1 also reveals thatthe refrigerating capacity is more excellent when the composition ratioof vinyl chloride is within a range of more than 0 to 0.55 or less,compared with when HFO-1234yf is used alone, and that the refrigeratingcapacity is maximal when the vinyl chloride composition ratio is about0.2.

Example 2

The vapor-liquid equilibrium of a composition comprising a mixture ofHFO-1234yf and CH₂═CHCl (vinyl chloride=R1140) was measured. FIG. 2shows the results.

FIG. 2 reveals that when the composition ratio of HFO-1234yf:vinylchloride is 1:0 to 0.8:0.2, the composition is an azeotropic compositionor azeotrope-like composition.

The results of FIGS. 1 and 2 reveal that the composition comprising amixture of HFO-1234yf and vinyl chloride has an excellent refrigeratingcapacity at a composition ratio within a range of more than 0 to 0.55 orless, and that it is more preferable when the composition ratio of vinylchloride is within a range of 0.1 to 0.3.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A composition comprising: at least one HFO compoundselected from the group consisting of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene(HFO-1234yf), (trans-/cis-)1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene((E-/Z-)HFO-1234ze), and (trans-/cis-)1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene((E-/Z-)HFO-1225ye); and a chlorine-containing compound, wherein (1) thechlorine-containing compound is at least one member selected from thegroup consisting of CH₂═CHCl and CH₂═CFCl, and (2) an amount of thechlorine-containing compound in the composition is within a range of10000 to 400000 mass ppm.
 13. The composition according to claim 12,wherein the amount of the chlorine-containing compound in thecomposition is within a range of 100000 to 300000 mass ppm.
 14. Thecomposition according to claim 12, wherein a mixture of the HFO compoundand the chlorine-containing compound is an azeotrope or azeotrope-likemixture.
 15. The composition according to claim 12, further comprisingat least one HFC compound selected from the group consisting ofdifluoromethane (HFC-32), 1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a),1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a),and trifluoromethane (HFC-23).
 16. The composition according to claim12, further comprising at least one lubricant selected from the groupconsisting of polyalkylene glycols, polyvinyl ethers, and alkylbenzenes.17. The composition according to claim 12, further comprising water, thewater being contained in an amount of 1000 mass ppm or less.
 18. Thecomposition according to claim 12, which is at least one member selectedfrom the group consisting of heat transfer media, foaming agents, andpropellants.